This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between September 2 and 7, 2025. For more of what’s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here.
Dear Jeanne — Album and Film Launch
Wednesday, September 3, 7 p.m.
Trinity St. Paul’s United Church, Jeanna Lamon Hall, free
After a life, there are many legacies — some rich, some personal, some ephemeral, some defy to be defined. For violinist Yolanda Bruno, the late Jeanne Lamon, who led Tafelmusik for 33 years, was a teacher and an inspiration. Bruno put together Jeanne’s legacy from two different realms into this double-faceted project, focused on Jeanne’s 1795 Santo Serafin Baroque violin: a documentary film, and a recording (read our interview with Bruno here for the touching details of the project). An instrument is a peculiar thing. Without the voice, none could speak; for instrumentalists, an instrument is an extension of the body — of life, in living, creating, and communicating. Without a player, an instrument is a mere silent object, perhaps still valuable given that you could still sell it, but without the sound maker, it stays far away from its purpose: to speak, to allow, to make it real. So come out, in the leisurely first week of September, just a hair before everything roars back with vigour, to meet this instrument once again, so familiar to many Torontonians under Jeanne’s hands for over three decades, through the documentary, the Immortal Serafin, and hear it speak through Bruno and musicians Julia Wedman and Christina Mahler, as they take the stage to make it resonate once again — and making us resonate with. Info here.
Friends of Music at St. Thomas’s: Across the Channel: English and French Music of the Hundred Years War
Friday, September 5, 7:30 p.m.
St. Thomas’s Anglican Church, 383 Huron St., Pay what you wish, with suggested donation of 40/adult, 20/student
Comtessa Medieval Ensemble, a Montreal-based group digging 11th to 15th century music, and Diapente Renaissance Quintet, along with aficionados of 15th to 17th century vocal chamber music, gather together on this Friday to present fresh sets of music in the intimate space of St. Thomas. It is lovely to see this space coming to life in the past few years, and the flexibility of the series is a true delight for people who are game to seek classical music beyond the usual radio-friendly mega-hits — there’s so much good stuff beyond the Peal Fishers’ duet, and Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. What really happened in the Renaissance when it comes to music? In fact, what were things like during the Middle ages, leading up to the Renaissance? Did they have violins? Surely that must be one of the oldest instruments? These are some quality trivia questions — somehow, we’ve gotten used to music of high Baroque (people on the street will likely recognize names such as Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi), but even serious university music students might stutter when asked about the Renaissance. So come out this Friday, cast aside your unfamiliarity, and open your ears to the familiar yet strange music of Guillaume de Machaut, Guillaume Dufay, Gilles Binchois, and more. I would come early and sit near the front, to see the unfamiliar instruments of the musicians of Comtessa. Read our Preview here. Info here.
TO Live/Attila Glatz Concert Productions: One Piece Music Symphony
Friday, September 5, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, September 6, 7:30 p.m.
Meridian Hall, $79.50+
Continuing with the theme of anime/movie with live music performance, the One Piece Music Symphony project celebrated its 25th anniversary concert year in 2024, filling out major international venues such as the Dolby Theater (L.A), the Philarmonie (Paris), and the Beijing Workers’ Stadium. One Piece — this animation series by Toei Animation aired its first episode back in October 1999, and its fan base has been growing ever since. Toei is still releasing one episode per week, with the exception of a recent break between October 2024 — April 2025. It would take you over 400+ hours to watch the One Piece anime non-stop; it’s easily considered one of the most successful anime ever, along with likes of Naruto, and Demon Slayer. In comparison, Sailor Moon, a familiar series to North American viewers, ran for only five years. Ticket sales have been strong for these back-to-back dates, and it would be lovely to be part of such an enthusiastic audience, whether it’s your first encounter with One Piece, or if you’ve been a diehard fan since childhood. Info here.
#LUDWIGVAN
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